Disney Pixar VHS: A Bug’s Life w/ Case THX w/ Geri’s Game Short and Tarzan Sneak Peek!

Description

A Bug’s Life [VHS]
Kevin Spacey (Actor), Dave Foley (Actor), Andrew Stanton (Director, Writer), John Lasseter (Director) Rated: G (General Audience) Format: VHS Tape

Brighter and more colorful than the other animated insect movie of 1998 (Antz), A Bug’s Life is the sweetly told story of Flik (voiced by David Foley), an ant searching for better ways to be a bug. His colony unfortunately revolves around feeding and fearing the local grasshoppers (lead by Hopper, voiced with gleeful menace by Kevin Spacey). When Flik accidentally destroys the seasonal food supply for the grasshoppers he decides to look for help (“We need bigger bugs!”). The ants, led by Princess Atta (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), are eager to dispose of the troublesome Flik. Yet he finds help–a hearty bunch of bug warriors–and brings them back to the colony. Unfortunately they are just traveling performers afraid of conflict.

As with Toy Story, the ensemble of creatures and voices is remarkable and often inspired. Highlights include wiseacre comedian Denis Leary as an un-ladylike ladybug, Joe Ranft as the German-accented caterpillar, David Hyde Pierce as a stick bug, and Michael McShane as a pair of unintelligible pillbugs. The scene-stealer is Atta’s squeaky-voiced sister, baby Dot (Hayden Panettiere), who has a big sweet spot for Flik.

More gentle and kid-friendly than Antz, A Bug Life’s still has some good suspense and a wonderful demise of the villain. However, the film–a giant worldwide hit–will be remembered for its most creative touch: “outtakes” over the end credits à la many live-action comedy films. These dozen or so scenes (both “editions” of outtakes are contained here) are brilliant and deserve a special place in film history right along with 1998’s other most talked-about sequence: the opening Normandy invasion in Saving Private Ryan.

Actors: Kevin Spacey, Dave Foley, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Phyllis Diller
Directors: Andrew Stanton, John Lasseter
Writers: Andrew Stanton, Bob Shaw, David Reynolds, Don McEnery, Geefwee Boedoe
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, THX, NTSC
Rated: G (General Audience)
Number of tapes: 1
Studio: Walt Disney Home Video
VHS Release Date: April 20, 1999
Run Time: 95 minutes

On the tape:
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad preview
Alice in Wonderland/Robin Hood preview
Tarzan sneak peek
Geri’s Game short

The film is inspired by Aesop’s fable The Ant and the Grasshopper. Production began shortly after the release of Toy Story in 1995. The screenplay was penned by Stanton and comedy writers Donald McEnery and Bob Shaw. The ants in the film were redesigned to be more appealing, and Pixar’s animation unit employed new technical innovations in computer animation. During production, the filmmakers became embroiled in a public feud with DreamWorks Animation due to a similar film, Antz.

This is a fable about our need to believe in ourselves.

The story is probably one of the best features in the exquisite animated film, A Bug’s Life. The narrative about the life of a working ant called Flick and his attempt to save his colony from the eternal domination of the grasshoppers -through recruiting a group of insects that turn out to be circus actors- is completely charming, innovative and unique. The plot is a pleasant surprise for the audience: just when one thinks everything is revealed, a new twist comes out to keep us guessing again what will happen.

The movie allows itself to have a series of incredible characters that develop while the story takes its place. Flick goes from naive and optimistic to self-confident and serious. The circus members are one of the most eclectic groups of lovable losers ever to illuminate the screen. They add color to the plot and the rest of the cast, with their adventures, mischief, eccentricities and craziness. Their growth as a group, who finally find their audience, must be highlighted too. Little Princess Dot is charming in her role as a little ant with low self esteem until becomes a leader and finally princess.

The bugs are, in fact, very graceful and funny, but it’s through their extravagant personalities and their sharp dialogs that finally conquer our sympathy.

In addition, there’s a solid work of animation. The visual splendor is spectacular. This is an engaging film that seems to use the most vibrant colors. The detailed work is admirable in every corner, every gesture. Ambience and characters are not limited to coexist, but to work together, consolidating the story. This is one of the best animated features of the past decade. A solid accomplishment from Pixar, who doesn’t seem to let us down with their creativity, their craftsmanship and their pure genius!

0-7888-1338-2

Case slightly squished. VHS itself is near mint. Tape is completely rewinded for your convenience. Full screen. THX. Dolby Surround. Includes original advertisements included with the tape.